All Discussions Tagged 'services' - Think Atheist2015-03-31T22:05:29Zhttp://www.thinkatheist.com/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=services&feed=yes&xn_auth=noWhen and when not to join in religious services and celebrationstag:www.thinkatheist.com,2013-02-07:1982180:Topic:12566052013-02-07T00:13:08.697ZUnseenhttp://www.thinkatheist.com/profile/Unseen
<p>My beloved father died last Friday at the age of 92. While I dealt with his death in my own atheist way, most of my family of Episcopalians dealt with it in their religious way. We kept his body overnight so friends and relatives might see him one last time. Shortly before noon on Saturday the minister of his church conducted a short memorial ceremony attended by a dozen or so friends and relatives. There were prayers. I participated in the ceremony, not for him and not for me, but for the…</p>
<p>My beloved father died last Friday at the age of 92. While I dealt with his death in my own atheist way, most of my family of Episcopalians dealt with it in their religious way. We kept his body overnight so friends and relatives might see him one last time. Shortly before noon on Saturday the minister of his church conducted a short memorial ceremony attended by a dozen or so friends and relatives. There were prayers. I participated in the ceremony, not for him and not for me, but for the other survivors. I think that conspicuously opting out would have spoiled it for my relatives and his friends. I bowed my head and said "Amen" when called for. What would YOU have done?</p>